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Messages - johnb51

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1
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Banana variety tastes
« on: March 27, 2024, 05:15:57 PM »
I would agree with you to skip Cavendish and try other varieties.  And to stick with dwarfs.  I like Raja Puri--a short but sturdy plant with flavor in the apple category.  I've got Goldfinger, too, but it hasn't fruited yet.

2
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Maria vs Maria Black Avocado
« on: March 26, 2024, 12:39:22 PM »
I would hope the grower (nursery) could clear up the confusion.

3
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Campbell White Sapote HELP?
« on: March 26, 2024, 12:33:14 PM »
Hello, I have a grafted Campbell in a 3 gal container, purchased several months ago, looks sad and is not budding or growing. It is in the greenhouse with a Redland and Younghan's that are doing well with budding and new growth. Think I have figured out, it doesn't like the sun or temps above 75F. Fish emulsions seem to help a little. Any suggestions on perking this plant up?
Watering; frequent or let it dry out?
Soil; well drained or moisture holding?
Fertilizer; stay with fish emulsion or something with higher nitrogen?
Thanks!
I'm curious if you've contacted Julian Lara, and what he's had to say. ???

4
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Whats the "biggest" mango
« on: March 21, 2024, 11:36:27 AM »
Providence, which is the offspring of Kent and is 2 to 3 times the size, is an incredibly delicious mango--similar to Kent but with an acidic kick.  Unfortunately, in this area it's highly susceptible to MBBS.

5
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Papaya?!
« on: March 14, 2024, 12:50:12 PM »
Correction solo is a contender but improved solo style ones are amongst the sweetest. I wish I could figure how to post pics on here these days and past pics of papaya I have posted show some of the better styles of papaya. Many have specific names that are letters and numbers. Basically the redder or really more deep orange they are the more likely to be sweet. New Guinea and Thai long reds as they are sometimes called are amongst the sweetest. Many of the very elongate reds are very sweet and perhaps about the same as the standard sunset and sunrise solos.
The climate, soil fertility, plant health and age of the plant also have an influence on fruit sweetness. The worst for sugars content and having a taint (nasturtium) are some yellow types grown towards the limits of their cold tolerance.
I meant Solo as a type so, yeah, "improved" would be better.

6
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Ceci-love or Sweet tart mango tree?
« on: March 13, 2024, 06:29:37 PM »
Seems like both are excellent taste wise, however Cecilove has a more manageable growth habit.
So you answered your own question!  ;D

7
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Papaya?!
« on: March 13, 2024, 06:27:53 PM »
Solo.

8
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Ceci-love or Sweet tart mango tree?
« on: March 13, 2024, 10:28:41 AM »
Easy.

Cecilove since Sweet tart will grow much faster.

Only reason I didnt plant a Sweet tart was its growth habit.

Cecilove is growing slow, quite manageable.
This is my experience, as well.  I planted CeciLove per Alex's recommendation.  He said it was close enough to SweetTart in flavor.

9
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Best Self Fertile Sapodilla
« on: March 09, 2024, 10:38:44 PM »
Alano could be a variety that is no longer in favor but it is definitely a self fertile tree with consistent, heavy production for me.

Why is Alano falling out of favor, if you don't mind me asking?  I was eyeing it as a compliment for my Tikal.  Is Butterscotch just replacing everything else?
Alano is a perfectly fine sapodilla.  This is also the first time that I've heard it's falling out of favor.

10
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Ariquina Olive Tree
« on: March 07, 2024, 10:19:30 AM »
yes, Arbequina....not a vary good speller.
Mike aDams
You can always go back and edit.  ;)  Olive trees are cool.  I love EVOO, but it's important to find a brand and source you can trust for the real thing, not rely on what they sell in the supermarket.  Spain grows the most olives.  California (Mediterranean climate) has a lot of growers and artisanal producers.  If you're REALLY interested in the subject, I found this website and its sister site: https://bestoliveoils.org and www.oliveoiltimes.com.

11
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Ariquina Olive Tree
« on: March 06, 2024, 09:47:59 AM »
Would that be Arbequina?  There's no information available on an Ariquina variety.

12
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Red Skinned Pineapple with high brix?
« on: March 05, 2024, 10:01:10 AM »
Catching up to this string - been travelling. 

From what I understand - Nature Farms (Mark Dellerman) has had the Hybrid mixed in with the MD2 for a long time, the result is some of the fruit he offers has stronger coconut flavors than others.  All have an excellent vanilla taste... but some go further.

I hope to sit down with him in the future and ask him some questions about his best practices as he has a lot of invaluable growing experience I hope he'll pass on. 

In the meantime, the way I've gone about working with his growing material is buy a lot of fruit when it's available and taste test it.  The outstanding fruit crowns get saved, the 'good' fruit crowns get put in the compost pile.
OK, thanks.

13
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Florida Natural Farming?
« on: March 03, 2024, 06:17:53 PM »
I wish Rob was here letting it rip as well.
He had a lot of knowledge but no humility. Knowledge, tolerance, and humility are a nice combination.  :)

14
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Meli Kalima Pineapple
« on: March 03, 2024, 06:12:37 PM »
Yes, I try to eat it every time I go to Hawaii. Flesh is white, fruit is small like a perfect sphere, 12 lb shot put ball. Taste is super sweet. But now a days, some of the other sweet varieties may be as good tasting. Fruit is very small compared to normal pineapples.
Just super-sweet?  Nothing unique about the flavor?

15
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Red Skinned Pineapple with high brix?
« on: March 02, 2024, 06:14:56 PM »
I thought not all the fruit were Dellerman Gold and some were MD-2. Is that not the case?
I was under that impression, too.

16
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Red Skinned Pineapple with high brix?
« on: March 01, 2024, 11:15:06 AM »
If you buy pineapples directly from the farm, how can you be sure they're Dellerman Gold? And then do you plant the tops? Is there any other way to get this pineapple for your garden?

17
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Red Skinned Pineapple with high brix?
« on: February 29, 2024, 05:18:09 PM »
https://www.fruitnet.com/asiafruit/del-monte-launches-red-shelled-rubyglow-pineapple/258135.article

https://www.freshplaza.com/north-america/article/9595163/red-shelled-rubyglow-pineapple-launched/

I hope it has enough ascorbic acid to transport well.  Pink Glow didnt quite impress me its brix readings. Maybe Ruby Glow ywill. We’ll wait and see.


At present, what are your favorite pineapple varieties for Florida gardeners?

18
I liked your video.  I left some comments on YT.  Alex of TAF recently commented on a video that ON was his favorite avocado, as far as flavor.  I've seen one tree around 11 or 12 years old that's never had fruit.  One nice thing about ON is that instead of growing straight up like a lot of avocado trees, it does have horizontal growth and can be a good-looking tree in that respect.  Good luck with ON.  Do you think you'd ever try to grow (original) Hass or Carmen where you live?  UCR has recently released a new Hass-type called Luna.

19
There are many great tasting mangos that grow well in Florida but are they suited for Southern California?
It is best to pick mangoes that have the fewest problems. This will give you the highest probability of success in California.
Johnny
So, Johnny, it looks like so far your strongest recommendations are Angie, Seacrest, and possibly Orange Sherbet?  Have you or anyone you know of tried growing PPK/Lemon Meringue?

20
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: What is the best tasting avocado variety?
« on: February 25, 2024, 12:48:32 PM »









Looks like this Pollock is very happy
Beautiful tree.  Congrats.  Last year we planted Pollock also at relative's home in Port St. Lucie.  The buds are swelling on my six-ft. young Simmonds tree.

21
Alex at www.tropicalacresfarms.com can always make these trees for you.

22
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Hi! From Portugal with Love!!!
« on: February 22, 2024, 10:37:19 AM »
Boas! Novo membro portuga aqui também!! Sou de Aveiro a propósito :) 

Seria óptimo ter uma rede de comunicação entre os portugueses daqui do forum!

Abraço a todos
The last time that Luis checked in with the Forum was in December so it appears he's not too active.

23
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Are black and white sapote worth it
« on: February 21, 2024, 09:22:04 PM »
I find them to be both mid-tier fruits, and wouldn't grow them unless I was in a tropical climate and had space.
Black sapote is underwhelming and so is white sapote too.
Now, there are many people who grow white sapote here, so it would be easy to connect with scions etc.
Just the fruit didn't do it for me, when I can grow mangos and lychees easily.
But pluses of black sapote is that it is a winter crop in FL, so it helps balance things out, and white sapote is sweet w a caramel taste. But not good enough for me.
Just how much white sapote have you actually eaten?  Are you really qualified to comment on this fruit?
John,
I've had it several different times and tried several different varieties.
while good, it doesn't compare to the FL mangos.
I don't know if you've eaten it tree-ripened in California, but if you haven't, I would say you don't know this fruit.  IMHO.  But you're right that mangos are better.

24
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Are black and white sapote worth it
« on: February 20, 2024, 12:13:37 AM »
I find them to be both mid-tier fruits, and wouldn't grow them unless I was in a tropical climate and had space.
Black sapote is underwhelming and so is white sapote too.
Now, there are many people who grow white sapote here, so it would be easy to connect with scions etc.
Just the fruit didn't do it for me, when I can grow mangos and lychees easily.
But pluses of black sapote is that it is a winter crop in FL, so it helps balance things out, and white sapote is sweet w a caramel taste. But not good enough for me.
Just how much white sapote have you actually eaten?  Are you really qualified to comment on this fruit?

25
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Beauty of Avocado Leaves
« on: February 14, 2024, 10:46:47 AM »
I'm finding that my Monroe and Simmonds trees have leaves that are particularly striking.
Monroe

Simmonds

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